Story, Castellanos among MLB's newest $100 million men

PHOENIX (AP) — Trevor Story and Nick Castellanos are among the newest $100 million men during a Major League Baseball offseason full of big contracts.

There's been a robust market for the sport's star players, even with a 99-day lockout that froze negotiations from December until mid-March.

Story and Castellanos are among 15 players who have signed deals worth $100 million or more since November, a group that includes Corey Seager, Wander Franco, Kris Bryant, Marcus Semien, Matt Olson, Freddie Freeman, Javier Báez, José Berríos, Max Scherzer, Robbie Ray, Kevin Gausman, Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton.

The big contracts are certainly good news for the players receiving them, but it remains to be seen whether those deals boost the league's overall average salary, which has declined in recent years. During the lockout, one of the union's main goals was to increase salaries for the sport's middle-class and younger players.

Story was introduced on Wednesday in Florida now that his $140 million, six-year deal with the Red Sox is official. Castellanos got a $100 million, five-year contract from the Phillies after a career season in Cincinnati.

The Red Sox were an unlikely suitor for Story — a two-time All-Star — considering that they already have a four-time All-Star at shortstop.

But Story agreed to move to second base, providing stability at a position where Boston has lacked it since Dustin Pedroia was injured in 2017. And if Xander Bogaerts chooses to opt out of his contract at the end of the season, Story gives the Red Sox a long-term solution at shortstop.

The Phillies hope Castellanos can add to a souped-up offense and help the franchise snap an NL-worst, 10-year postseason drought.

Castellanos got a $100 million, five-year contract from the Phillies after a career...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Story-Castellanos-among-MLB-s-newest-100-17024269.php